Belt-stretcher.



No. 841,510. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. w. s. GREEN.

BELT STRETGHER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21.1905.

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UNITED STATES rarnn'r orrron.

WASHINGWON S. GREEN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO LOCKRIDGE L. GREEN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BELT-STRETCH ER.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

Application filed November 21, 1905. Serial No. 288,482.

To mil whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WAsr-nNeToN S. GREEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Belt-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to belt tighteners or stretchers, and has for its objects to produce a comparatively simple inexpensive device of this character whereby a belt may be rapidly and effectually stretched for drawing its ends together, one in which the belt will be properly maintained in stretched condition while lacing or uniting said ends, and one in which the operatinglevers may be readily turned to a convenient position for manipulation.

. ith these and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

I n. the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a belt-stretcher embodying the invention and showing the same applied for operation on a belt. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is an end view of the parts shown. in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view in section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 1 designate a pair of parallel rack bars or members provided on their longitudinal side edges with projecting engaging portions or teeth 2 and having swiveled or rotative connection at one end with the projecting portions or ears 3 of one of a pair 01 cross-pieces or heads 4, each provided with a belt-receiving recess 5, in which is terminally journaled a beltclamping member or jaw 6, having a suitable operating-handle 7, the jaw 6, which is of substantially semicircular form in cross-section, being provided on its curved active face with longitudinallydisposed engaging ribs or teeth 8, designed to engage a belt when clamped between the jaw 6 and the opposed wall of the head, which constitutes, in effect, a fixed clamping-jaw. It is to be observed at this point that the teeth 2 at opposite sides of each of the bars 1 are arranged in relatively staggered order, the teeth at one side of the bar being stepped above or in advance of those at the other side of the bar, and that the heads 3 have end portions or walls 5 pro vided with bearing-slots 6 to receive pint-les or trunnions 7 at the ends of the jaws 6. Connected with the ears 3 of the other head 4 (herein termed the movable head) by means of connecting elements or bolts 9 are bearing members or clips 10, provided with openings 11 to receive the respective ratchetbars 1, there being pivoted upon the forward or upper end of each of the elements 9 an actuating-lever 12, having a central opening or slot 13 to receive the adjacent bar 1. and in which is pivoted, respectively, at opposite sides of the bar a pair of engaging members or pawls 14., formed for engagement With the teeth 2, projecting transversely of and at one side of the lever and having portions or extensions 15, projecting transversely beyond the other side of the lever and for contact with a tripping member or head 16, slidably disposed on the adjacent bar 1 and pivoted at 17 to the lever, the tripping member, which is adapted to rock upon its pivot, being arranged between the portions 15 of the pawls to be alternately engaged thereby when the actuating-lever 12 is rocked on its pivot.

In practice a belt 18 to be stretched is primarily clamped in the respective cross-pieces or heads 4 and with its ends projecting suitably beyond the latter and toward each other, it being understood that the clamping of the belt in the heads is effected by appropriate manipulation of the clamping members 6 through the medium of the handles 7. The belt having been positioned, the operator grasps the levers 12 and rocks them back and forth upon their pivots, thus moving the pairs of pawls 14 alternately into and out of engagement with the adjacent teeth 2 for advancing the movable head along the bars 1 and toward the relatively fixed head 4, thereby stretching the belt for bringing its terminals together for unition, as will be readily understood. During operation of the levers 12 the pawls will be moved into and out of engagement with the ratchet-bars owing to the portions or extensions 15 of the pawls coming alternately into contact with the tripping member 16,while at the same time the pawls will be advanced one tooth or step at a time along the bar, it being obvious that a while one pawl of either pair is advancing along the adjacent bar the other pawl of the pair will be in secure engagement in the latter.

It is to be particularly observed that the members 9 are adapted for rotation in the ears of the movable head, while the bars 1 may rotate in the ears of the fixed head, thus permitting the said members and the operating-levers, together with their attendant parts, being turned relatively to the heads and belt for bringing the levers 12 to a convenient position for manipulation.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I produce a simple device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view,'it being understood that in attaining these ends minor changes in the details herein set forth may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. Ina device of the class described, a

' toothed longitudinal member, a pair of heads tween the pawls and with which the latter contact for movement to non-engaging position.

2-. In a device of the class described, a pair of longitudinal toothed ratchet members, a pair of heads operatively connected with the members, means for engaging a belt with the heads, means, including actuating-levers and pawls, for moving one of the heads relative to the other longitudinally of the ratchet members, and a tripping member arranged between each pairof pawls and with which the latter contact for movement alternately to non-engaging position.

3. In a device of the class described, a pair of heads, clamping means carried thereby, a toothed ratchet member operatively and rotatively connected with the head and means, including an.ac'tuatinglever and pawls, con nected with and for moving one of the heads relative to the other longitudinally of the ratchet member, said lever being rotatable with the toothed ratchet member to convenient position for operation.

In testimony whereof I ai'IiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WASHINGTON S. GREEN.

Witnesses:

WALTER S. BRAY, S. C. CLARK. 

